Charting the internet pop world one blog post at a time.

Four debuts help keep the music flowing into the chart, as most of the songs are now an appealing pop/dance hybrid with other influences, though I always have a fond spot for a big banger 😀

The Top 10

Canadians Loud Luxury & Nikki’s Wives continue to hold at #1 with the irrepressible “Show Me”, whose comical video features none other than long time porn star Ron Jeremy.

“Perfect” is the gritty slice of deep house music by L.A.’s Mahalo featuring Cat Lewis that glides its way to #2 on the new chart. Will it reach the top in two weeks??

“I Like Me Better” by Lauv (aka 23 year old Ari Leff) is finally making inroads at US radio after performing well on charts in Canada, the UK, and Sweden among others. It climbs 5-3.

New to the Top 5, and a first timer for Tipsy Records, is the wistful singalong “No Love In Brooklyn” by producers Frenchman Nick Peters and western New York native Frank Pierce along with fellow Yank vocalist Scott Vega, which rises 7-5.

The Fastest Riser belongs to Australia-based UK producer Latchmere (the moniker of Shaun Galvin), whose Lovedrunk EP is perfect for club dance floors and of course to blast from your stereo. The classic house rhythms of “Need Your Heart” take it 15-6 on the chart.

If you’re going to see Terror Jr. in Toronto this Friday (October 20) at The Drake Hotel, you will see Iowa’s Kid Froopy open the show. The Kid’s EP is now out and its namesake first single “Drive Slow” moves up 8-7.

Rich production by Ricky Remedy and a stunner of a vocal from Orlando’s John.k take “Gold” up the chart 13-9.

“You (It’s All About You)” becomes the third Top Tenner here for Carlos Nóbrega, from his album The Art Of Making Love. And if you want gorgeous goodies like buttons or postcards, as well as other collectibles, then head over to Carlos’ storeright here. “You” climbs 14-10.

Movin’ On Up

Every time I listen to “We Won’t Leave You” by Steve Void and Syence, it’s emotional power definitely gives me the feels. Featuring an unbilled vocal by the fantastic Clara Mae (she also sang Steve’s “Chemistry” late last year), it rises 16-11.

Remixes are en route for Bobby Nourmand’s “MIND” featuring D.OC. and Goodmorning with another set of highly complimentary call-back vocals and rapping to help keep spinning EDM on its head. “MIND” rises 17-13.

The US/UK duo called Culpriit (above) is well on its way with its debut single “Driveway”, which moves 24-17, and right behind is the free download with spirited vocals by blackbear and MAX, “No Hands” (below) by producers It’s Different and Forever MC, climbing 25-18.

Miami’s Alyx Ander’s “Wake Up For The Night” is for those with wee hour vibing featuring an Ellie Goulding-ish vocal by Caroline Pennell, and moves up 27-22.

From one of my favourite albums this year so far comes “Flags” by L.A.’s Shoffy (aka Alex Shofler) featuring Yuna. This song is available as a free download, but check out all of Shoffy’s songs from his self-titled album. It’s full of well-produced spins on dance music, not without some big beats, but focusing on the songs and his unique vocal style. “Flags” bows at an impressive #20.

Following his amazing 2017 singles “Wasted My Love” and “Out Of My Head” is L.A.’s Axel Mansoor with producer buddy Louis Vivet and your official end-of-summer song “Hit Rewind”. As with previous singles, this one is a free download for now, but you can go and support it by picking it up on your favourite digital platform. “Hit Rewind” arrives at #26. Axel has yet to leave the chart since the week of April 3 which is when “Wasted My Love” premiered.

Another single from The Art Of Making Love makes its entrance on the chart. This time it’s “Free” by Carlos Nóbrega featuring Spanish singer JVEL, and it debuts at #27 with its intriguing comic-book themed lyric video.

The last debut is by the ever-irresistible Miguel, this time paired up with Travis Scott for “Sky Walker” at #28. Time to chillax and party down with these guys with this cool song!

View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify:BILLCS Top 30 Songs

He does it all – rap, sing, write, produce – and Minnesota’s Call Me Karizma follows up the deft “Frank Ocean” with his own perspective on “Daddy Issues”. Just the title alone conjures up a variety of thoughts as to what the song might be all about, but ‘Riz in his unique way takes a few girlfriend case-studies and realizes that they come part-and-parcel with someone who hasn’t yet found love. So what might seem controversial ends up being a nice-enough love song about moving on with romance …to be continued. “Daddy Issues” to me is one of ‘Riz’s best records, continuing to discover ways of incorporating a down-to-earth, direct hip hop style with some gentle melodies and sweet vocals as well. Slick and painless, “Daddy Issues” deserves your attention at the Spotify link above.

I’ll see you on Call Me Karizma’s A Summer High tour when it stops in Toronto at the Hard Luck on November 5.

I’m always listening for remixers who take the time to totally transform a song, and sometimes it happens even with a big hit like Kyle’s “iSpy” featuring Lil Yachty. It’s even better when it’s a song that never really caught my ear in its original version. Well L.A. duo Ojivolta will have your head spinning with this dirty but highly playful remix. It doesn’t even sound like the original until about halfway through, and even then it’s the equivalent of being doused with hot sauce, making “iSpy” even more full of zing and oomph. Ojivolta know how to work their magic around the vocals very well, leaving your ears a bit exhausted as the song wraps up with a wonky dubsteppy finale. Check out this one at the link above and DJ’s should plan to add it mid-set when the audience will least expect for instant reaction!

The new chart marks one of my favourites this year, with so many songs on the rise that will do very well, plus three new entries to add to the influx of great tunes 🙂

The Top 10

It is now very resolute that “New York Pretty” (above) by Bright Light Bright Light isn’t going anywhere any time soon as it holds at #1 for a second appearance. Its companion song and video, “Into The Night” (below) soars 26-15 as BLx2 himself commutes back and forth between the UK and the US performing live and DJ gigs. He’s also been added to UK dates as the opening act for Erasure on their upcoming tour – what a perfect match!!

Axel Mansoor’s “Out Of My Head” (above) stays put at #2 for a 4th appearance (8 weeks), while former #1 “Wasted My Love” departs the chart. But I will leave you with a lively remix of that song, below, by Dulsae which totally catches its vibe.

Also in the new remixes department, you can pick your fill of seven for “There For You” by Martin Garrix and Troye Sivan, including one by Toronto’s own Dzeko 🙂

“Bad Drug” by Cosmos & Creature rises 6-4 as new collaborations and singles from the talented duo of Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore keep on comin’ this month!

The retro R&B groove of Anton’s “L.I.L.Y.” (like I love you) is irresistible, as the song climbs 8 to 5 for the Swedish pop singer.

Oregon’s CVBZ gets his first Top Tenner here with “Be Like You” in its Sean Turk remix, wasting no time by rising 12-6. It’s Sean’s third ‘bedroom bass’ remix in the Top 10, following last year’s “Closer” by Brandyn Burnette (#7) and this year’s “Sleeping In” by Phil Good (tying its #6 peak). CVBZ played the Billboard Hot 100 festival over the past weekend 🙂

Another newcomer to the Top 10 is England’s Sean Smith whose magnificent song “Magic” climbs 11-8 in its Andy Sikorski remix.

The fastest riser, and perhaps #1 contender, rounds out the Top 10. It’s “Show Me” by Toronto’s Loud Luxury (recently gigging in Las Vegas with Martin Garrix) and Nikki’s Wives, flying up the chart 22-10. Loud Luxury recently got to #1 with their redux of Craig David’s “Fill Me In” with Ryan Shepherd.

Movin’ On Up

Can’t get enough of Dan Talevski’s fun and lighthearted “Birthday Suit” right now as it rises 14-11.

Toronto quartet Blajk gave one of my favourite club shows of 2017 almost two weeks ago in their home town at The Drake Hotel with a stunning performance that recalled The Killers when they first began. All eyes were on singer Jordan Radics as he sang songs like “Gunshot”, which jumps 20-14 (and ironically leaps over “The Man” by The Killers at #17!).

I’m gonna call it now – feel good song of the year. It’s “I Like Me Better” by L.A. singer/songwriter Lauv, also now a national chart hit in Sweden. So USA, I think you are missing out! “I Like Me Better” moves up 27-18.

Keep your ears peeled for more from Iowa’s Kid Froopy – concert dates are in the works! “Drive Slow” is one of those great songs for a lazy day with a funky vibe to keep those feet tapping. It climbs up 30-20.

Three New Entries

At #21 is the FOURTH chart entry so far this year for L.A.’s Maholo and go-to-vocalist Cat Lewis, with “Perfect” (above). This one is to be played loud in the wee hours as Cat’s vocals are shifted and played with and then in perfect harmony with each other. “Perfect” sneaks in right above their prior release, the soulful “Heaven”, which moves up 25-22. Their other two chart entries this year were “Be My Love” (#5) and “WTFYWF” (#3).

First timers to the chart are French producer Nick Peters along with American producer Frank Pierce and featuring vocalist Scott Vega for the telling and bittersweet “No Love In Brooklyn” at #25. This one has an unmistakable melody and a great singalong chorus which you need to check out.

Just as his song “D U S T” (which peaked at #5) is about to finish its run, along comes another new one from Bobby Nourmand. Reprising his collaboration with soul and hip hop vocalists DOC and Goodmorning from his #1 “D E E P in NY”, “MIND” and its catchy chorus bow at #28.

View the full BILLCS Top 30 right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify:BILLCS Top 30 Songs

The creative folks in the R&B, hip hop and dance/EDM genres know that sometimes it’s best to combine forces to create a one-of-a-kind record. Such is the case with “No Hands”, a red hot collaboration between mystery production duo it’s different, Utah rapper Forever MC, L.A.’s smoking hot Black Bear, and NYC’s own MAX. “No Hands” comes large and in charge and doesn’t for one second let you give up the ghost to think any less of it throughout the entire song. The three vocals blend somewhat seamlessly despite the diverse backgrounds of each, and the bassy/trappy mix is as risk-taking as the intent behind the lyrics. “No Hands” is an inventive pop hit in the making that will sound equally as wonderful on radio next to Drake and Kendrick Lamar as it would next to Calvin Harris and David Guetta. It’s a free download for now at the link above; get it while it lasts!!

Combining pop, jazz and hip hop in this decade continues to sound fresh with well-produced songs like “Orange Tree Leaves”. It’s brought to us by L.A. producer and trumpeter Ryan Svendsen, with principal vocals by Molly Moore of Cosmos & Creature and hip hop flavour from Maryland-born Uno Hype. It’s music for a sunny, laid back day on a patio with friends. Fans of Molly know that she is no stranger to the jazzier side of music, having interpreted Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me” on her debut EP Shadow Of The Sun. Uno Hype’s rap meshes beautifully with the song, not too heavy but just edgy enough to give the song a different kind of boost. Ryan Svendsen clearly set out for a high-quality recording here which highlights his trumpet work. You can easy play it back to back with songs by Canadians BADBADNOTGOOD among others. You’ve actually already heard Ryan on songs I’ve written about here, notably Cosmos & Creature’s new “Bad Drug” and the Pluto remix of Molly Moore’s “Imaginary Friends”. He also happens to be the manager of film soundtracks for no less than Lionsgate so obviously has a great set of ears. I’m glad he’s chosen to work with independent performers like these and look forward to hearing more. Check out “Orange Tree Leaves” at the link above.

There’s tongue definitely in cheek plus a sweet, sentimental side to “Frank Ocean”, the latest from young Minneapolis rapper/songwriter/producer Call Me Karizma. ‘Riz has been unleashing a lot of songs from his prolific repertoire lately, but “Frank Ocean” is definitely a stand out, not only for its subject matter but its somewhat whimsical intent. It’s all about being distracted, lazy, and wanting to have sex all day in your room, something most of us have experienced and even achieved in our lives. And to many of us, as well as to ‘Riz, there’s nothing wrong with that at all. We sometimes need to pay less attention to the world around us and more attention to each other. To past generations that was set perhaps to music by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Bryan Adams, or John Legend, to name some balladeers. Today Frank Ocean, tomorrow someone else… Enjoy the moments while they last and give “Frank Ocean” a spin at the link above.

Party Pupils bring us a punchy original called “Patient”, after dazzling us for the last 8 months or so with covers of songs by OutKast and Ginuwine, and remixes of others by D.R.A.M., T-Pain, Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha, and Jai Wolf. This is the outlet for MAX (Schneider) and his buddy Ryan to bring some heavier, hip hop flavoured dance music to the fore – I got a taste of it in April when I saw them perform OutKast’s “Ms Jackson” in concert. The groove and grittiness are all up front, and with MAX’s fiery vocal, Party Pupils is off to a great start with “Patient”. You get to have it all for now by downloading “Patient” for free at the link above.

I’m enjoying my fellow Torontonians Loud Luxury & Ryan Shepherd’s “Something To Say” far too much for it to depart #1 after one appearance, so it stays ahead of a few others for another chart.

Looking to ascend to the top next week is the gorgeous “Wasted My Love” (above) by L.A.’s Axel Mansoor, vaulting 9 to 2. Even better, Axel has one of four debuts with another beauty, “Out Of My Head” (below) arriving at #21. Axel has one of the best new voices of the year and his songwriting is on point!

Also arriving in the Top 5 is Alesso’s huge club hit “Falling”, moving up 6 to 5.

It’s turning out to be a massive hit, and Zedd and Alessia Cara’s “Stay” continues to climb, up 7-6.

“I Wonder” by The Him and vocalist LissA is a real earworm, climbing 8-7 – you’ll find yourself singing and humming and dancing to it for days 🙂

New to the Top 10 without much surprise is “Sign Of The Times” by Harry Styles, which continues to gain fans after all these weeks of release thus far, and rises 11-9.

Movin’ On Up

The infectious independent release “P A R T Y” by Philadelphia duo NiGHTS continues to soar, up 17-11, as a third single “B R E A T H” is released.

Charlie Puth follows up the Top 5 duet with Selena Gomez “We Don’t Talk Anymore” with his new bass-laden pop hit “Attention”, which is the fastest riser on the chart, rocketing 23-15.

UK producer Murky along with Polish singer Anuka climb 20-16 on this chart with a beautiful EDM ballad “Heavy Hearted”, which is available as a free download.

Bobby Nourmand’s latest “D U S T”, which is also a free download, continues to look promising as it climbs 24-19.

Our final debut from last week is the intriguing “Silent Games” by German producers Lars Beck and Henri Purnell, and featuring vocalist Zekt, who hails from Honolulu. It rises 26-20.

The Remaining Three Debuts

Martin Garrix returns to the chart for the first time since last year’s collaboration with Bebe Rexha “In The Name Of Love”, which got to #10. This time it’s with fellow Dutchman Brooks on the rollicking instrumental “Byte” (and a very flashy video) which arrives at #24.

Shawn Mendes grew up about 20 minutes from where I currently live in Pickering, Ontario. He has his first BILLCS Top 30 chart entry with “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” which bows at #27. And it’s a danceable affair this time; so far the NOTR remix has been released, but others are coming!

Welcome To The Hotel’s independent single “Darlin'”, featuring vocalist Brandon Serafino, gets a boost from a saxxy Saxena remix, which arrives at #28 and is available to download for free.

View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify:BILLCS Top 30 Songs

For the first time since March, following “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay, which stayed up top for 4 appearances (8 weeks) as did Brandon Skeie’s “So Bad” last summer, there is a new #1 on the BILLCS Top 30, and a few more contenders bubbling below!

The Top 10

My fellow Torontonians, Loud Luxury and Ryan Shepherd ascend to the top with “Something To Say”, their brilliant deep house rework of Craig David’s “Fill Me In”. It’s the first time since another fellow Torontonian finished out 2016 at #1, that being The Weeknd with Daft Punk and “Starboy”.

Mahalo and Cat Lewis continue to rise in the Top 5 as the rollicking “WTFYWF” arrives at #3.

One of the most unique songs out there in every good sense of that word is Brandyn Burnette’s “Manifest”, and this song from his third EP Feature Films jumps 7-4.

Eyeing the Top 5 and the top of the chart is Alesso’s huge club hit “Falling”, which moves up 10-6.

The sweet soul of L.A.’s Axel Mansoor lands in the Top 10 with “Wasted My Love” climbing 12-9.

L.A.-based producer Spirix gets his second Top 10 hit here with “Runaway”, featuring pop/hip hop duo Xuitcasecity on vocals, to make an addictive blend of EDM, pop, soul and hip hop. It bounds into the Top 10 soaring 17-10.

Movin’ On Up

Harry Styles looks to be the bona fide pop star formerly of One Direction, as “Sign Of The Times” from his new self-titled album winds its way up to the outskirts of the Top 10, rising 15-11.

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Eddy Faulkner is halfway up the chart with his first entry “Cruel”, a slick blend of pop and dance styles with rich production, moving 18-15.

Check out Steve Void’s fun new video for “West L.A.” below, as I’m hardly done yet with his previous single “Never Been Better” (above), which climbs 21-16. The memorable, commanding uncredited vocal is by British singer Grace Tither.

The fastest riser on the chart has one of the quirkiest hooks around which will grow on you big time. With its blend of soulful pop and EDM, Philadelphia duo NiGHTS vault 29-17 with “Party”.

NYC’s Andy Suzuki & The Method have announced upcoming tour dates in (natch) NYC, but also Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston, which is always a great way to feel the energy they bring to their music. “I Need You Now (The More You Leave)” is from their second album The Glass Hour, and rises 24-19.

They co-produced “Break Up Every Night”, a song on The Chainsmokers’ album Memories… Do Not Open. The trio Captain Cuts joins The ‘Smokers on the chart with “Love Like We Used To” (Young Bombs remix), climbing 27-22.

Debuts

25 year old singer/songwriter/producer Charlie Puth is back with a song from his upcoming second album. “Attention” is as infectious as it gets, with a slightly dirty and soulful rhythm to counter Charlie’s knowing vocal. It bows at #23 and becomes Charlie’s 4th entry on the chart, the last being “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (with Selena Gomez), which peaked at #5.

L.A. producer/DJ Bobby Nourmand grabbed a #1 song here earlier in the year with the crazy “D E E P In NY” (featuring great verses rapped by D.O.C. and Goodmorning). He returns with the first bright light of summer for those of us in colder climates called “D U S T”. It’s a mini-epic for a long drive up a sandy beach on a clear night, and bows at #24 – and it’s Bobby’s gift to you as a free download 🙂

New to the chart are Germany’s Lars Beck and Henri Purnell with their deep house production “Silent Games” featuring Hawaiian vocalist Zekt at #26. This mix of EDM, soul and folk styles will catch you immediately and draw you in with Zekt’s classic way of unfolding a story. You can get “Silent Games” as a free download for a limited time.

View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify:BILLCS Top 30 Songs